“Family history Month Open House”Carroll County Times Article for 1 October 1995 By Jay A. Graybeal Do you ever wonder who your ancestors were, or want to know where they lived and in what kind of house, or where they are buried? Perhaps you have collected bits and pieces of family history and you are not sure how to organize all the information. Do you think that you would like to publish the history of your family? If I have struck a responsive chord, read on; this may be the month to get started. If you are interested in learning more about researching, compiling and maybe even publishing your family history, there is an event designed just for you. Whether you are a novice ready to begin or someone who is well or your way, there will be something for you at the upcoming Family History Month Open House. The event will be held on Saturday, October 21st from 1:00 to 4:00 p. m. at Carroll Community College in Westminster. The Open House is free to the public and is being cosponsored by the Carroll County Genealogical Society, The Westminster Roots Users Group and the Historical Society of Carroll County. All three organizations are involved in helping people research local families, history, genealogy. The Open House begins at 1:00 with displays by each of the cosponsoring organizations. Representatives of each group will be on hand to talk about the related, yet unique, services they offer in Carroll County. At 2:00 Guest Speaker Donald Haines will present a talk entitled, “Publishing Your Family History.” Mr. Haines has recently published a history of his family and he will share his experiences from research through publication. The program will close with brief presentations by representatives of the three cosponsoring organizations. Janet Colburn, President, Carroll County Genealogical Society, will describe the activities of her organization. Founded in 1981, the CCGS stimulates interest in genealogical research, records and disseminates local genealogical information and provides an opportunity for researchers to meet and share information. Monthly meetings featuring a guest speaker are held at the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library. The library also houses the Genealogical Society’s collection of records pertaining to Carroll Countians. The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Carrolltonian, and has published four volumes of Carroll County cemetery inscriptions. Patrick “Sarge” O’Donnell of the Westminster Roots Users Group will describe the Roots computer program for recording genealogical information. The advent of the personal computer has provided new ways of organizing the mass of information that can be collected by the researcher. Founded in 1992 the Westminster RUG is a support group for Roots users. The organization publishes a quarterly newsletter and holds monthly meetings at Carroll Community College. The monthly meetings have drawn people from more than 100 miles away. The writer will talk about the research opportunities at the Historical Society of Carroll County. Founded in 1939 to save a threatened historic house, the Society now offers a wide range of services including a research library in the Kimmey House, 210 E. Main St. in Westminster. The Society’s library contains an extensive and unique collection of family histories, local newspapers, vertical files, regional land record abstracts, historical photographs, and manuscripts of families, businesses and organizations. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter and books on a wide range of local history topics. The Library is open weekdays (except Mondays) and on Saturday mornings. If you would like to learn more about these organizations and how they can help you pursue your family history, don’t miss the Family History Month Open House on Saturday, October 21st. |
| Photo Caption: | The family history researcher uses a variety of sources including maps, documents, historic photographs and published sources. The use of local resources will be the theme of the Family History Month Open House which will be held on Saturday, October 21st at Carroll Community College. Objects are from the collection of the Historical Society of Carroll County. |
| Side Bar: | Carroll County Family History Organizations at a Glance Carroll County Genealogical Society, Inc. P. O. Box 1752 Westminster, MD 21158 (410) 635-6694 Meets on the third Monday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p. m. at the Westminster Branch, Carroll County Public Library. Westminster Roots Users Group Meets on the second Saturday of each month (except August) from 1:00-4:00 p. m. at Carroll Community College in Westminster. Historical Society of Carroll County, Inc. Library Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9:30-4:00 (closed for lunch from 12:30-1:00) and Saturday mornings 9:00-12 noon (closed on holidays). |
